The Best Coffee Grinders for AeroPress 2024
The AeroPress has become a staple in any coffee lover’s kitchen, offering up rich, clean and flavourful coffee on the go. Whether you’re at the office or hiking up a mountain, the AeroPress is lightweight, easy to assemble and makes good-quality coffee in any setting.
Overview
To get the best results from this brewing method, however, your Aeropress grind size is essential.
Too fine and the coffee will over-extract; too coarse and it will do the opposite.
Choosing the best coffee grinder for AeroPress can be overwhelming, given the variety of grinders on the market.
Depending on your budget, lifestyle and space, there are a world of options available, some superior to others.
With 15 years of experience in the coffee industry, I’ve seen my fair share of coffee grinders.
That’s why I’ve compiled six of the best grinders in the business, all of which are ideal for making the perfect AeroPress coffee.
Why Trust Me?
What Makes a Good AeroPress Coffee Grinder
The type of grinder you use can make or break your coffee experience.
The AeroPress works best with a medium-to-fine grind, so it’s important to choose a grinder that will allow you to have control over your grind settings.
Below are several factors that you should look out for when purchasing an AeroPress coffee grinder.
Consistency
Like most brewing methods, the AeroPress needs a consistent grind in order to extract the best flavour from the coffee. This is why a good coffee grinder is so essential, and one of the first factors that should be taken into consideration when buying one is what grind settings it has.
Batch Coffee Club For Aeropress
The perfect AeroPress grinder should be able to produce a consistent grind size to ensure that all the coffee particles are of the same size, resulting in a uniform extraction. If the grind is inconsistent, the water won’t evenly distribute and you won’t get a balanced flavour.
Burrs vs Blade
Grinders for AeroPress feature one of two types of grinding mechanisms; burrs or blades.
Grinders with burrs are ideal for the AeroPress as they provide solid grind consistency. The burrs crush the coffee beans between two toothed plates, producing a consistent particle size that works perfectly for an even extraction. Burr grinders also often have knobs that can adjust the coffee grind size according to your brew method.
Try to avoid blade coffee grinders as they tend to chop the coffee rather than grind it, resulting in particle irregularity. There is also no way to control the grind size which means your coffee will end up bitter or under-extracted
See our recommendations below for the best bu.rr grinders for AeroPress coffee.
Size
The size of your AeroPress grinder depends on your lifestyle and how you choose to make your coffee.
If you use your AeroPress on holiday or hiking trips, a small manual grinder is the best option due to its compactness and ease of use. Many hand grinders fit inside an AeroPress which is convenient for transporting your equipment in an efficient way.
If you want to create a solid coffee set-up at home, a larger electric grinder is ideal, especially if you make regular AeroPress coffee.
I suggest having both; the convenience of a hand-held grinder is perfect for travelling but can be laborious when making more than one coffee at a time. Check out our recommendations for both portable and electric grinders below.
Durability
A good AeroPress coffee grinder should be robust and long-lasting.
High-quality grinders made from durable materials such as stainless steel or ceramic will last longer and withstand wear and tear. This will save you money in the long run, as you won't have to replace the grinder as frequently.
For a portable grinder, I would suggest plastic over glass or ceramic due to its durability. However, if you are looking for an electric grinder, opt for something a bit sturdier and always ensure that the burrs are replaceable in case of wear.
The Six Best Coffee Grinders for AeroPress in 2024
Find below our favourite coffee grinders for Aeropress. If you think we missed one, please leave a comment below.
1. Sage - Smart Grinder Pro
Brew Methods: All methods
Burrs: Conical 40mm Stainless Steel
Dimensions: H389 x W160 x D214mm
Bean Hopper Capacity: 450g
Container/Portafilter Rest: Both
Features: Programable, Consistent, Precise
Pros: ✅ Ease of Use ✅ Robust
Cons: ❌ Inconsistent Coarse Grind
With its Dosing IQ technology, the Sage Smart Grinder Pro is a top-quality electric grinder that will elevate your home coffee set-up.
Featuring over 60 unique settings, this grinder is compact but really packs a punch.
It can be used for a variety of brew methods, but is particularly great for AeroPress due its conical burrs that provide a smooth and consistent grind.
Using Sage’s Dosing IQ technology, you can easily dose out the correct amount of coffee for your AeroPress, meaning you don’t have to worry about manually measuring out your grinds.
The smart controls are great on this grinder, and the LCD display makes it simple to adjust grind size and time as well as how many shots or cups you desire.
If you’re looking to step up your coffee game this year, The Smart Grinder Pro is truly one of the best home AeroPress grinders.
Read our review of Sage Coffee Grinders
2. Timemore Chestnut C2 Manual Coffee Grinder
Brew Methods: All Methods
Burrs: Conical 38mm Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 14.7cm x 5.2cm
Bean Hopper Capacity: Single Dose
Container/Portafilter Rest: Container
Features: Professional Burrs, Transportable
Pros: ✅ Quality Burrs
Cons: ❌ Manual Grinding
Lightweight and robust, the Timemore C2 is designed to be a compact yet functional addition to your portable coffee set-up.
Timemore has several manual coffee grinders on the market, but the C2 in particular is both high-performing and comes in at a reasonable price point.
Aesthetically pleasing as it is effective, this AeroPress hand grinder is great for coffee lovers who travel with their gear, weighing in at only 467g.
Made from stainless steel, it features 38mm burrs that can be easily adjusted depending on your preferences.
Simply turn the dial towards your desired grind and you’re ready to go.
Externally, the C2 features a non-slip aluminium textured body that is great for gripping, while the crank is designed in a way that prevents overexertion.
Manual grinding can be tiresome at times!
With its lightweight body and powerful burrs, this is one of the best manual coffee grinders for AeroPress, ideal for home and on-the-go use alike.
3. Wilfa – Svart Aroma Precision Coffee Grinder
Brew Methods: Aeropress, Pour-Over, French Press
Dimensions: H312 x W200 x D155mm
Bean Hopper Capacity: 250g
Container/Portafilter Rest: Container
Features: Easy To Adjust, Discreet
Pros: ✅ Simplicity ✅ Value
Cons: ❌ Not For Espresso
Sleek, compact and powerful, the Wilfa Svart is where Nordic design and mighty engineering meet.
I own a Wilfa Svart and I use it daily. It’s so versatile and I love how consistent it is when it comes to grind, making it a great AeroPress burr grinder.
If you’re short on space, this grinder is ideal for tucking into a corner or on a shelf due to its clever boxy design.
Easily adjust your grind setting using the spinning hopper – each setting is named after its brew method rather than consistency, making this grinder great for beginners and advanced users alike.
Simply spin the hopper to the AeroPress setting, adjust your grind time and it’s ready to go.
Featuring conical burrs that are ideal for grinding consistency, you can create great-tasting AeroPress coffee every time.
4. Fellow Ode Brew Grinder
Brew Methods: Aeropress, Pour-Over, French Press
Burrs: 64 mm Flat Burrs
Dimensions: H239 x W105 x D241mm
Bean Hopper Capacity: Single Dose
Container/Portafilter Rest: Container
Features: Single-dose loading, Grinds knocker
Pros: ✅ Professional Consistency ✅ Waste
Cons: ❌ Expensive
Stylish as it is powerful, the Fellow Ode Brew Grinder offers up the café experience in the comfort of your home.
Though a bit on the pricier side than other grinders, Fellow never fail to make top-quality products and the Ode is no different.
It even won Best New Product at the SCA Awards in 2021!
Featuring 64mm professional-grade flat burrs and 31 grind settings, precision is one of its finest qualities, particularly important when grinding for AeroPress.
Simply select your grind setting, pour in your beans into the single-dose load bin and turn on the grinder.
Designed specifically for the home, the Ode is a lot quieter than other grinders which makes for an overall pleasant grinding experience.
This is truly one of the best home AeroPress grinders in the biz.
5. Cuisinart Professional Burr Mill
Brew Methods: All Methods
Burrs: burr mill evenly grinds fresh coffee beans, for maximum flavour and aroma
Dimensions: H31cm x W19cm x D22cm
Bean Hopper Capacity: 250g
Container/Portafilter Rest: Container
Features: Simple To Use, Cheap
Pros: ✅ Cheap ✅ Easy To Use
Cons: ❌ Not That Consistent
An affordable alternative to the Smart Grinder Pro, the Cuisinart Professional Burr Mill offers a compact and classic design on a budget..
Cuisinart is well known for its kitchen appliances.
Founded in 1971, the company has been making professional cookware for over 50 years and has a knack for making solid products that are durable.
This simple-to-use grinder is perfect for beginners.
Though it’s not as versatile as the other grinders mentioned, its 18-grind setting is still good enough for a quality, even grind. It also features a professional burr mill for added consistency, ideal for AeroPress users.
To adjust the grind, turn the hopper to the desired setting and grind away.
With a 250g capacity and a 4-18 cup selector, it’s easy to grind exactly what you need without waste.
You can grind for multiple people, great if you’re short on time.
If you’re looking for a compact, easy-to-use grinder for AeroPress coffee, the Cuisinart Professional Burr Mill is the ideal addition to your kitchen.
6. Hario – Mini Mill Plus
Brew Methods: All Methods
Burrs: Conical 38mm Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 20cm x 7cm
Bean Hopper Capacity: Single Dose
Container/Portafilter Rest: Container
Features: Professional Burrs, Transportable
Pros: ✅ Robust, Classic Design
Cons: ❌ Can Be Hard To Grip
If you’re searching for the best manual coffee grinder for AeroPress, look no further; the Hario Mini Mill Plus is a must-have in any AeroPress user’s travel pack.
Lightweight, stylish and compact, this is a great all-rounder for brewing coffee on the go.
Featuring ceramic burrs, simply adjust your setting from course to fine and grind up your coffee to the perfect consistency.
Easily assembled, the grinder has an ergonomic sleek design and is easy to grip, making it the perfect coffee travel companion.
It can also hold up to 24g (two cups worth) of ground coffee, which is ideal when you’re travelling with a group and want to make multiple cups.
You can always rely on Hario for quality coffee equipment, and the Mini Mill Plus is no different; it’s a truly great AeroPress hand grinder.
AVOID – Blade Coffee Grinders
Blade coffee grinders...
Though it is powerful and versatile, grinders such as the Krups Everyday Coffee and Spice Mill feature blades rather than burrs.
This means that they lack consistency when grinding, resulting in coffee particle irregularity.
As we’ve learned, AeroPress coffee needs a fine-to-medium grind, and because there is no way of adjusting the grind setting, you won’t get the result you’re looking for.
FAQs
How much should you spend on an AeroPress coffee grinder?
There are many options to choose from when it comes to picking a coffee grinder.
However, it all depends on your budget and the features you want your grinder to have.
If you travel a lot and make coffee on the go, a manual grinder is ideal and a cheaper alternative to an electric one.
If you want to elevate your home coffee set-up, opt for a powerful grinder that has more versatility and features.
Be mindful that if you want something durable and long-lasting, paying a little bit more may be the way to go.
Do you need a good grinder for AeroPress?
We highly recommend getting a grinder that is designed for your needs.
If AeroPress is your go-to brew method, it’s definitely worth investing in a quality grinder that will improve your overall coffee experience.
Is espresso grind too fine for AeroPress?
Often, yes. Coffee ground for espresso is on the finer side because it is brewed under high pressure, increasing extraction speed.
For AeroPress, it is recommended to use a fine-to-medium grind size.
Can you use a blade grinder for AeroPress?
You can, but we wouldn’t recommend it. Blade grinders don’t have the option to control the grind size, which means you don’t get consistency across all your grinds. T
o extract the best flavour from your coffee, AeroPress needs a fine-to-medium grind size which is best suited for burrs rather than blades.
Does AeroPress taste like espresso?
The flavours indeed come close, but espresso is slightly darker and more intense than AeroPress.
This is because espresso is brewed at high pressure, specifically around 9 bars.
The AeroPress, however, is manual and although the method of extraction is similar, it doesn’t come close to the pressure of an espresso machine.
Why is AeroPress coffee so good?
People often enjoy AeroPress coffee because it produces a clean, rich flavour due to the element of pressure.
Unlike a French press where the coffee is steeped, the AeroPress works by forcing hot water through the coffee, extracting all the flavour without the acidity. Much like an espresso machine!
Not only is the AeroPress super easy to use, making it accessible for beginners or coffee connoisseurs alike, but is also very forgiving when it comes to water temperature and pouring style, unlike a pourover where specificity is everything.
Does AeroPress taste better than French Press?
It all depends on how you like your coffee!
The first step is to get high-quality coffee beans that cater to your tastes.
It’s important to take your time to discover what flavour notes you like so that you can truly enjoy and get the best out of your coffee.
If you like a richer flavour, French press may be more to your taste as the coffee steeps longer and produces a stronger taste.
Remember to ensure you have the correct grind size (French press is courser than AeroPress) so that you don’t end up with coffee grains in your cup.
AeroPress is considered a ‘cleaner’ flavour, in that it maintains strength but without bitterness.
Because there is no steeping, the coffee is less oily which results in a lighter taste.